Bruce
Bruce W. Bronkema
Bruce passed away Monday, January 19, 2015 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo.
He was born February 28, 1943 in Middleville to Henry “Bud” and Helen (Shaarda) Bronkema. He had worked at Rog and Bob’s in Otsego for several years and then spent 27 years working for Menasha as a millwright. Bruce enjoyed golf and was a member of Pairiewood Golf Course. He also liked drag racing, woodworking, and following the Detroit sports teams.
Surviving are his children, Mike (Jodie) Bronkema and Lori King; 5 grandchildren, Mike Bronkema, Kori Bronkema, Jeff Bronkema, Bryce Bronkema and Christofer King; 4 great-granddaughters, Trinity and Taryn Jenkins and Jaidyn and Jordyn Card, and brothers, Bob (Ann), Duane (Lynn) and Don Bronkema.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia in 2012, and by his sister Kay Bronkema-Darling.
Friends may visit with Bruce’s family Thursday, January 22, 2015 from 1-2 P.M. at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
Burial will take place at a later time at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell.
Contributions in memory of Bruce may be made to
Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.
WinkelFuneralHome
.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Bruce W. Bronkema
Condolence Messages
Ron Thaxton
January 19, 2015 at 3:21 pm
Mike & Family you’d Dad fought a long hard battle, between him and your Mom. He was a good Guy and we will all miss him. May my prayers & thoughts be with you at this time. Ron.
Reply
Maryln Langeance
January 19, 2015 at 3:51 pm
So sorry for your loss. Bruce and Patti have always been good friends
Reply
Mike and Agnes Vanarsdal
January 19, 2015 at 5:41 pm
Bob and Ann, so very sorry to read of Bruce’s passing. We are in Flordia, but will put a card in the mail. May God grace be with all who love Bruce.
Love and hugs!
Reply
Patricia "Leonard" Clingenpeel
January 19, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Bob, Don & Duane & family. Please accept my deepest
sympathy for the loss of your brother. All of us go
back 60 years or better to when we were all kids &
playing together. Bruce was a wonderful guy. He
will be dearly missed by one & all.
May God Bless & be with you all..
Sincerely,
Pat “Leonard” Clingenpeel
Reply
Rich & Judy Haugh
January 19, 2015 at 9:38 pm
Our sincere sympathies to Bob, Annie, and the entire family.
Reply
Sue Higgs
January 20, 2015 at 8:10 am
Sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. He was a great guy and had been a classmate. He will be missed
Reply
Jim Survilla
January 20, 2015 at 9:37 am
My condolences to all of Bruce’s family, I’m glad that I had a chance to speak with Bruce a few weeks ago and talk of old times, I considered Bruce an old friend from when the family lived on Orleans St.
Reply
Ruth (Gould) King
January 20, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Finally peace!! What a great guy. Walked the graduation in ’61 with Bruce – been classmates and friends forever. Will miss his great attitude. My sympathies to his family.
Reply
Johanna Sponable
January 20, 2015 at 4:22 pm
So sad to hear about Bruce. We were in the same homeroom all through grade school, and will always remember him as one of the nicest people.
Reply
Jerry Howrigon
January 20, 2015 at 6:16 pm
Our prayers go out to all of the Bronkema family. Dinah and i last talked to Bruce at Meijer. A long conversation that we will now remember him by. Peace be with you!
Reply
Lil ( Shaarda) Langan
January 20, 2015 at 8:50 pm
So sorry to hear about your loss. May God comfort you at this time.
Reply
Brooks Lamborn
January 20, 2015 at 9:01 pm
Sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. I really enjoyed my time spent with him golfing in the old lighthouse league when he teamed with Cliff. My deepest condolences to the family.
Reply
Jim Hoffman
January 20, 2015 at 9:38 pm
Mike and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your Dad was such a joy to know, always had such a positive attitude and spoke with such a soft easy going pace. What a great example for all of us guys to live by.Rest in peace my friend until we meet again!
Reply
Tom Jarosch
January 21, 2015 at 5:17 am
Mike, may God’s grace and peace be with you and your family through Christ our Lord. Mike, It was a pleasure working with you and your dad at the mill. I had great respect for Bruce’s knowledge and in site on the work we did. He saved us a lot of time and headaches and helped make things more reliable in the operation of the mill. I will miss him.
Reply
Ben White
January 21, 2015 at 12:45 pm
Bronkema family; Bruce was well liked by all! Our thoughts are with you folks.He will be remembered.
Reply
Rick Burd
January 21, 2015 at 3:38 pm
Mike, I was so blessed to have worked beside your Dad for so many years. He was an amazingly intelligent man, he tought me so much. There are so many things I remember about him, but I’ll never forget all the hard work we did together in the digester and all the golf lessons he gave me with a broomstick in the hallway of the digester. You and your family are in my prayers and may God reach down and touch you with his grace. Bruce was truly a great man and I will miss him always.
Reply
Phyllis Taylor
January 21, 2015 at 5:39 pm
Bob and Ann, It is so hard to lose someone you love, Please know my thoughts are with you and your family.
Reply
Cliff and Nora Haff
January 21, 2015 at 8:51 pm
To The Bronkema Families
Bruce and Patti have always been our friends. Your Dad taught me the game of golf. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Reply
Roger and Juli Currie
January 21, 2015 at 10:17 pm
Mike and family, We are so sorry for your loss. It is very hard when our parents leave us. We will all be together again someday. In the mean time just remember that they would want us to live happy and remember them often with fun stories and lots of laughter.
Reply
Larry & Jo Bean
January 22, 2015 at 9:09 am
Dear Mike & Lori, Biker & Marin, Jeff & Devin and Kori & family
We are so sad that Bruce had to leave us here in this world, but he is definitely in a most wonderful home now in Heaven with his special Patty. We WILL see them both when our Holy God, Lord Jesus calls us HOME. We learned that they were Moose and Trishy to one another as we travelled throughout the southern USA with them in the past few years. The laughs and fun the four of us enjoyed in our travels is so precious to us. We can only imagine what joys Bruce is experiencing right now and probably he is arm in arm with his beautiful wife of 51 years. We are and will continue to pray for God’s comfort and strength for each of you now and always. May you feel His loving arms around you encouraging you to go on. . You are blessed–Bruce and Patty prepared you for such a time as this. Our wish for each of you is God’s peace that surpasses all understanding. Psalm 23, Isaiah 40:29-31, Romans 5, 1Corinthians 2:9 , John 3:16. . .Trust in HIM; all things are possible with HIM
With sympathy & love, Jo & Larry
Reply
carol Seekman
January 22, 2015 at 9:30 am
I attended school and worked w/Bruce. I always enjoyed his sense of humor. He was an excellent golfer and truly loved the game. My thoughts & prayers are with his family.
Reply
Beth Farho
January 22, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Mike & Lori and families – so sorry to hear of your loss! I fondly remember the days of baseball in your side yard (except for that black eye incident) and always thought your dad was so handsome and looked alot like Clint Eastwood. He and my dad taught me the game of golf that I love to this day. My clubs are Bruce Bronkema originals and they are the best present my parents ever gave me! I’ll think of your dad fondly everytime I swing a club. Hope you can find some comfort in memories of happier times. Our prayers are with you all.
Reply
Jeff Burleigh
January 22, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Mike and family,
Very sorry to hear the news about your father. I always enjoyed working with both of you during our years together at the mill. My deepest sympathies go out to you during this challenging time.
Reply
Pete Loftus
January 23, 2015 at 3:22 pm
Mike and Family, I really enjoyed knowing your folks thru the years.
Your dad was a great guy and a lot of fun to golf with.
Reply
Howard & Jan Yake
January 28, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Our Sympathy & Love.
Reply
Trinity Jenkins says:
November 30, 2016 at 11:21 am
I am sorry papa mike, aunt Lori.
Reply
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He was born February 28, 1943 in Middleville to Henry “Bud” and Helen (Shaarda) Bronkema. He had worked at Rog and Bob’s in Otsego for several years and then spent 27 years working for Menasha as a millwright. Bruce enjoyed golf and was a member of Pairiewood Golf Course. He also liked drag racing, woodworking, and following the Detroit sports teams.
Surviving are his children, Mike (Jodie) Bronkema and Lori King; 5 grandchildren, Mike Bronkema, Kori Bronkema, Jeff Bronkema, Bryce Bronkema and Christofer King; 4 great-granddaughters, Trinity and Taryn Jenkins and Jaidyn and Jordyn Card, and brothers, Bob (Ann), Duane (Lynn) and Don Bronkema.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia in 2012, and by his sister Kay Bronkema-Darling.
Friends may visit with Bruce’s family Thursday, January 22, 2015 from 1-2 P.M. at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
Burial will take place at a later time at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell.
Contributions in memory of Bruce may be made to
Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.
WinkelFuneralHome
.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Bruce W. Bronkema
Condolence Messages
Ron Thaxton
January 19, 2015 at 3:21 pm
Mike & Family you’d Dad fought a long hard battle, between him and your Mom. He was a good Guy and we will all miss him. May my prayers & thoughts be with you at this time. Ron.
Reply
Maryln Langeance
January 19, 2015 at 3:51 pm
So sorry for your loss. Bruce and Patti have always been good friends
Reply
Mike and Agnes Vanarsdal
January 19, 2015 at 5:41 pm
Bob and Ann, so very sorry to read of Bruce’s passing. We are in Flordia, but will put a card in the mail. May God grace be with all who love Bruce.
Love and hugs!
Reply
Patricia "Leonard" Clingenpeel
January 19, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Bob, Don & Duane & family. Please accept my deepest
sympathy for the loss of your brother. All of us go
back 60 years or better to when we were all kids &
playing together. Bruce was a wonderful guy. He
will be dearly missed by one & all.
May God Bless & be with you all..
Sincerely,
Pat “Leonard” Clingenpeel
Reply
Rich & Judy Haugh
January 19, 2015 at 9:38 pm
Our sincere sympathies to Bob, Annie, and the entire family.
Reply
Sue Higgs
January 20, 2015 at 8:10 am
Sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. He was a great guy and had been a classmate. He will be missed
Reply
Jim Survilla
January 20, 2015 at 9:37 am
My condolences to all of Bruce’s family, I’m glad that I had a chance to speak with Bruce a few weeks ago and talk of old times, I considered Bruce an old friend from when the family lived on Orleans St.
Reply
Ruth (Gould) King
January 20, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Finally peace!! What a great guy. Walked the graduation in ’61 with Bruce – been classmates and friends forever. Will miss his great attitude. My sympathies to his family.
Reply
Johanna Sponable
January 20, 2015 at 4:22 pm
So sad to hear about Bruce. We were in the same homeroom all through grade school, and will always remember him as one of the nicest people.
Reply
Jerry Howrigon
January 20, 2015 at 6:16 pm
Our prayers go out to all of the Bronkema family. Dinah and i last talked to Bruce at Meijer. A long conversation that we will now remember him by. Peace be with you!
Reply
Lil ( Shaarda) Langan
January 20, 2015 at 8:50 pm
So sorry to hear about your loss. May God comfort you at this time.
Reply
Brooks Lamborn
January 20, 2015 at 9:01 pm
Sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. I really enjoyed my time spent with him golfing in the old lighthouse league when he teamed with Cliff. My deepest condolences to the family.
Reply
Jim Hoffman
January 20, 2015 at 9:38 pm
Mike and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your Dad was such a joy to know, always had such a positive attitude and spoke with such a soft easy going pace. What a great example for all of us guys to live by.Rest in peace my friend until we meet again!
Reply
Tom Jarosch
January 21, 2015 at 5:17 am
Mike, may God’s grace and peace be with you and your family through Christ our Lord. Mike, It was a pleasure working with you and your dad at the mill. I had great respect for Bruce’s knowledge and in site on the work we did. He saved us a lot of time and headaches and helped make things more reliable in the operation of the mill. I will miss him.
Reply
Ben White
January 21, 2015 at 12:45 pm
Bronkema family; Bruce was well liked by all! Our thoughts are with you folks.He will be remembered.
Reply
Rick Burd
January 21, 2015 at 3:38 pm
Mike, I was so blessed to have worked beside your Dad for so many years. He was an amazingly intelligent man, he tought me so much. There are so many things I remember about him, but I’ll never forget all the hard work we did together in the digester and all the golf lessons he gave me with a broomstick in the hallway of the digester. You and your family are in my prayers and may God reach down and touch you with his grace. Bruce was truly a great man and I will miss him always.
Reply
Phyllis Taylor
January 21, 2015 at 5:39 pm
Bob and Ann, It is so hard to lose someone you love, Please know my thoughts are with you and your family.
Reply
Cliff and Nora Haff
January 21, 2015 at 8:51 pm
To The Bronkema Families
Bruce and Patti have always been our friends. Your Dad taught me the game of golf. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Reply
Roger and Juli Currie
January 21, 2015 at 10:17 pm
Mike and family, We are so sorry for your loss. It is very hard when our parents leave us. We will all be together again someday. In the mean time just remember that they would want us to live happy and remember them often with fun stories and lots of laughter.
Reply
Larry & Jo Bean
January 22, 2015 at 9:09 am
Dear Mike & Lori, Biker & Marin, Jeff & Devin and Kori & family
We are so sad that Bruce had to leave us here in this world, but he is definitely in a most wonderful home now in Heaven with his special Patty. We WILL see them both when our Holy God, Lord Jesus calls us HOME. We learned that they were Moose and Trishy to one another as we travelled throughout the southern USA with them in the past few years. The laughs and fun the four of us enjoyed in our travels is so precious to us. We can only imagine what joys Bruce is experiencing right now and probably he is arm in arm with his beautiful wife of 51 years. We are and will continue to pray for God’s comfort and strength for each of you now and always. May you feel His loving arms around you encouraging you to go on. . You are blessed–Bruce and Patty prepared you for such a time as this. Our wish for each of you is God’s peace that surpasses all understanding. Psalm 23, Isaiah 40:29-31, Romans 5, 1Corinthians 2:9 , John 3:16. . .Trust in HIM; all things are possible with HIM
With sympathy & love, Jo & Larry
Reply
carol Seekman
January 22, 2015 at 9:30 am
I attended school and worked w/Bruce. I always enjoyed his sense of humor. He was an excellent golfer and truly loved the game. My thoughts & prayers are with his family.
Reply
Beth Farho
January 22, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Mike & Lori and families – so sorry to hear of your loss! I fondly remember the days of baseball in your side yard (except for that black eye incident) and always thought your dad was so handsome and looked alot like Clint Eastwood. He and my dad taught me the game of golf that I love to this day. My clubs are Bruce Bronkema originals and they are the best present my parents ever gave me! I’ll think of your dad fondly everytime I swing a club. Hope you can find some comfort in memories of happier times. Our prayers are with you all.
Reply
Jeff Burleigh
January 22, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Mike and family,
Very sorry to hear the news about your father. I always enjoyed working with both of you during our years together at the mill. My deepest sympathies go out to you during this challenging time.
Reply
Pete Loftus
January 23, 2015 at 3:22 pm
Mike and Family, I really enjoyed knowing your folks thru the years.
Your dad was a great guy and a lot of fun to golf with.
Reply
Howard & Jan Yake
January 28, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Our Sympathy & Love.
Reply
Trinity Jenkins says:
November 30, 2016 at 11:21 am
I am sorry papa mike, aunt Lori.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
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